Family attractions in Montreal

There's a city with an old-world/new-world feel that's equally cosmopolitan and equally family oriented, yet a whole lot closer to home: Montreal. Text by Lori Knowles, Special to QMI Agency

BOTANICAL GARDEN: This peaceful place counts itself No. 2 among the world's most notable botanical gardens (No. 1 is Kew Gardens in London, England). Montreal Botanical is a picturesque sweet-smelling place but -- more significant for kids -- it's a fabulous spot to run around. With 30 thematic gardens -- Chinese, Japanese, Alpine, First Nations -- there are oodles of walkways kids can explore in every season. Or consider a visit during the Butterflies Go Free annual festival in February. (QMI Agency)

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PLACE DES ARTS: Perhaps one of the most cosmopolitan of Montreal experiences is an evening at Place des Arts, a massive performing arts centre that hosts ballet, theatre, opera and symphony orchestra. The building appropriately anchors Montreal's Quartier des Spectacles entertainment district. (Courtesy Tourism Montreal)

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OLD MONTREAL: A family visit to Montreal must include a walk -- or ride -- around Vieux-Montreal, the city's birthplace in the 1600s. Take an organized tour of this once-walled city. There are preserved fortifications still visible, and there are spots that were frequented by Canada's First Nations people some 2,500 years ago. Kids are thrilled by horse-and-buggy rides through the cobbled streets. See oldmontrealextravaganza.com and old.montreal.qc.ca. (QMI Agency)

NOTRE-DAME BASILICA: Parents might remember Notre-Dame as the location of singer Celine Dion's over-the-top 1994 wedding, or the funeral of Pierre-Elliott Trudeau in 2000. But the church will forever live in kids' memories simply for being gigantic. At 79-metres-long and 60-metres-high, this Canadian National Historic Site definitely owns its commanding spot of reverence in Old Montreal's Place d'Armes. Inside are giant pipe organs, a spooky crypt, and a pretty, much sweeter smaller wedding chapel. (Courtesy Tourism Montreal)

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SLEEPOVERS: Arriving by train at Montreal's grand Central Station, the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure is so close it's connected by tunnel -- an easy walk for little ones. An entrance to Montreal's subway system is in the basement. And the Hilton's free continental breakfast and daily 5 p.m. Happy Hour snacks keep blood sugar levels even. (QMI Agency)

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EN ROUTE: Montreal's location 500 km east of Toronto is a humdrum five-hour drive that's doable in a day. Board a VIA WiFi-equipped Toronto-Montreal express train and you're there in about the same time but with less stress. Both Air Canada and Porter Airlines shorten the travel time with daily commutes between Montreal's Trudeau and downtown Toronto's Billy Bishop city airports. (QMI Agency)